So your Pittsburgh business has run out of space. Instead of embarking on an expensive, time-consuming traditional construction project, are you interested in building “green”? There are new and used modular buildings for sale that can help you do just that – and at a significant time and cost savings.
If you haven’t looked at modular construction in a decade, take another look. The days of shoddy construction and uninspired design are gone, and modular buildings have climbed to the forefront of innovation. Modular construction is also very advanced in terms of sustainable design and green building.
Modular construction complies with the highest green building standards, including LEED® certification. Most new modular units are built with recycled steel, making them strong, fire-resistant and mold-resistant. The lean manufacturing process uses less energy and water, and waste is controlled with strict internal controls.
Overall, you can expect 20% cost savings over stick-built construction, and your entire project can be completed 40% faster. In many cases, one 2,500-3,000 sq. ft. module (the size of a large home) can go from frame production to shipment in about three months.
Modular Genius, a nationwide modular builder specializing in design-to-occupancy modular construction, offers an excellent explanation of green modular building, its many benefits, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Their experienced team of designers, engineers, project managers and field superintendents serves as general contractor for all aspects of the modular construction process.
Why Build Green
According to the US Green Building Council, conventional residential and commercial buildings are responsible for:
- 72% of all U.S. electricity consumption
- 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions
- 40% of raw material use
- 30% of waste (or 136,000,000 tons of construction and demolition debris) annually
A green building, however, incorporates design, construction, and maintenance practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of the building on occupants and the environment. Green buildings:
- Reduce human exposure to toxic materials
- Conserve non-renewable energy and natural resources
- Minimize life-cycle ecological impact of energy and materials used
- Use renewable energy and materials that are sustainably harvested and manufactured
Another factor which surprises many people is that green buildings cost about the same to build and less to maintain than conventional designs.
Raw, eco-friendly building materials, such as brick, bamboo, cork, reclaimed wood and granite, can be used. Fixtures can be water-saving and low-flow. Tile can be made from recycled materials. But optimized energy systems have a huge impact on both cost and sustainability. Environmental technologies like solar photovoltaics and geothermal heating and cooling systems can be integrated into the building and you won’t even know they’re there.
Today’s state-of-the-art design and construction technologies enable companies to build green modular buildings that are both functional and attractive, and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Customers have countless choices for exterior and interior designs and floor plans. Impressive entrances along with customized roof lines, canopies, porticos and window/door treatments, can be integrated.
Single and multi-story designs can be designed to suit any imaginable purpose, with exterior finishes like brick, stucco, siding and other architectural surfaces. The design options are virtually unlimited, and the finished structure is difficult to tell apart from a conventionally built building.
When you’re ready to enjoy the flexibility and savings that are inherent to green building in Pittsburgh, explore the new and used modular buildings for sale in the area.